Christmas is a nexus of faith and family. Intimate faith. Immediate family. About 30 years ago I began the tradition of writing the verse in my wife’s Christmas card. Most are serious. Some are not. Several years ago she was in a leg cast for the entire Christmas season. This is the one I wrote that year.
The Ghost of Christmas Cast
A Dickens’ tale I tell you not
Nor would he tell it as he aught
Nor by his ghosts are we harassed
But by the Ghost of Christmas Cast.
No Marley moans with rattling chains
No Ebenezer Scrooge distains
At these we scoff but stand aghast
At the lumping, thumping Christmas Cast.
No word you’ll hear of Tiny Tim
This ode does not remember him
But we’ll recall till ages past
The painful, complainful Christmas Cast.
And now God Bless us, everyone
Forgive us this most dreadful pun
We entreat you at this repast
Remove the haunting Christmas Cast.
Grace is sufficient, did you say?
Slow down? Relax? Meditate? Pray?
This cast’s a gift. A gracious fast!
The Holy Ghost of Christmas Cast.
Husband. Father. Grandfather. Pilot. Pastor. Poet.
5 responses so far ↓
Carl Holmes // Dec 18, 2007 at 6:10 pm
That is great!
Heather // Dec 18, 2007 at 6:54 pm
Oh my goodness, this cracked me up!
Papa Goodyear // Dec 19, 2007 at 6:57 pm
Thanks. I can hardly believe anyone would read one of my poems (except family) let alone enjoy it. You can’t know the encouragement your comments have given me.
L.L. Barkat // Dec 19, 2007 at 10:16 pm
Tickled.
Mark Goodyear // Dec 21, 2007 at 9:00 pm
I remember this poem. What dad doesn’t tell everyone is that last year he made a book on ibook of all the poems and pictures of them as a couple throughout the years. It is about the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.
And I love the stanza about Tiny Tim. That’s the one that made me laugh out loud.
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